This is What Makes a Good Traditional Bird House

Well Constructed

• Untreated wood, unpainted
• Cedar or pine
• Larger houses (owls) exterior grade plywood
• Held together with galvanized screws which provides the best seal, easy to remove and replace
• Nails can loosen over time and allow excess rain in the nest box.
• Do not use staples

Keep Birds Dry

• Sloped Roof
• Overhangs front by 5-10 cm (2-4”); Sides 5 cm (2”).
• Recessed Floor
• Recess the floor at least 6.35 mm (¼”).
• Keeps the nest from getting wet
• Drainage Holes
• Cut away the corners of the floor

Regulate Temperature

• Thick Walls
• Walls should be at least 19 mm (¾”) thick.
• Ventilation Holes
• Adequate ventilation requires two 16 mm (5/8”) diameter located on the side walls near the top.

Correct sized entrance hole

• Entrance hole is correct size for the species  - example - Black-capped Chickadee entrance hole size is 1 1/8” (28mm).

Helps Fledglings Leave The Nest More Easily

• Interior wall below the entrance hole should help nestlings climb out of the box:
• Roughed up with coarse sandpaper.
• A series of shallow horizontal cuts, like a small ladder.

It Makes Maintenance Easy

• Hinged Side and/or Roof and Sturdy Latch
• A hinged side gives you access for cleaning and monitoring your nest box.
• A latch or nail keeps the box securely closed until you are ready to open it.

Very important - No Perch - Helps Keeps Predators Out

                                                                       Black-capped Chickadee Nest Box                                          Eastern Bluebird Nest Box